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West on Track welcomes Joint Statement on the Western Rail Corridor

March 21st 2010

The West on Track Community Campaign has warmly welcomed the Joint Statement on Friday last from civic, commercial, political, church, educational and community interests across the western region welcoming Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor and urging the continuation of the project.

A West on Track spokesman said: “The extraordinary consensus that exists throughout this whole region regarding the building of the rail corridor is both unique and gratifying and is a clear endorsement of the Government’s decision to open the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor which will now link Galway to Limerick by rail for the first time in over 30 years.

We note the unanimous call that the Government would continue the good work by commencing the next phase in the current year. As pointed out in the joint statement the railway has recently been surveyed to Tuam and Claremorris and it has become clear that the cost of construction is now much less than the previously estimated figure of two million per mile and is clearly the best values for money of any project in Transport 21.”

The spokesman also called on communities along the route of the Western Rail Corridor to turn out in force at their local stations on Monday 29th March for the running of the first train along the route of the new Western Rail Corridor and to show their support for the project. As part of the reopening new stations will open at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell with upgrades to existing stations at Limerick, Ennis and Athenry.

The spokesman concluded: “Monday the 29th March will be a good day for the West of Ireland, but the West on Track campaign is not over. The speedy delivery of the entire Western Rail Corridor in line with the Government’s commitment remains our immediate and determined priority.”